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Rural Health Information Hub

Other Case Studies and Collections of Program Examples: Hospitals

In addition to RHIhub's Rural Health Models and Innovations rural program examples, you may also want to browse other case studies, databases, and websites with collections of health programs.

Each resource listed below uses its own criteria for selecting program examples, which may range from programs known to be effective based on research to anecdotal accounts. In each resource, you may want to review information on the level of evidence required for a program's inclusion.

May include non-rural programs that could be applicable to rural health delivery.

Affiliation Partners Sought to Prepare Small Hospital for Value-Based Care
Details how Grinnell Regional Medical Center (GRMC) in Grinnell, Iowa, followed a robust due diligence process to identify affiliation partners and prepare for participation in risk-based reimbursement models. GRMC is a 49-bed private, nonprofit medical center that serves 6 rural counties in Iowa.
Date: 01/2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Value
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Case Study: High-Tech OB Simulation Training Educates OB Teams, Improves Quality of Rural Health Care
Reports on a pilot obstetrics simulation training program intended to help rural family physicians and obstetric care teams recognize and react to complications related to pregnancy, initially focusing on hemorrhaging. Identifies planned quality improvement measures resulting from the training and includes program contact information. Program targeted 12 rural hospitals in Nebraska.
Date: 2018
Type: Document
Sponsoring organizations: Bryan Health, Heartland Health Alliance
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Meadville Medical Center: Care Coordination for Adults and Children
Describes the Meadville Medical Center Community Care Network (CCN), an interdisciplinary team of clinicians who focus on using care coordination to help patients manage chronic conditions and achieve their health and wellness goals. CCN's goal is to engage patients and encourage them to take ownership of their health, thereby reducing hospital readmissions, conserving resources, and improving the health of the population.
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association Rural Health Services
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Ensuring Access with a Hospital's Conversion to a Freestanding Emergency Department
Outlines Ellijay, Georgia-based North Georgia Medical Center's transition from a traditional community hospital to a freestanding emergency department (ED). Shares administrative, legal, and logistical challenges that, once overcome, resulted in Piedmont Mountainside Hospital Emergency Services - a successful, community-focused, freestanding ED.
Date: 11/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association Rural Health Services
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Promising Practice: Rural Health Summits Bringing People Together Across Vermont to Exchange Ideas
Describes how the Vermont State Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (VT SORH/PC) and leaders from rural hospitals and local public health districts in Vermont co-convened several Rural Health Summits held around the state to discuss ways to share resources, information, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
Author(s): Beth Blevins
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health
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Promoting a Nutritious Diet Inside and Outside the Hospital
Highlights a rural Vermont hospital's efforts to promote healthier eating habits both inside and outside the hospital by locally sourcing food, encouraging participation in their "Ton of Tomatoes" project, and processing produce to help food-insecure community members. Discusses efforts of other hospitals promoting healthy diets, including removing unhealthy cafeteria meal options and promoting community gardens.
Date: 09/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: American Hospital Association
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Coteau des Prairies Keeping Services Close to Home
Follows South Dakota-based Coteau des Prairies Health System's (CDP) progress as part of the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project. CDP completed a financial operational assessment (FOA) with the goal of positioning the hospital for future financial success. Primary areas of improvement include revenue cycle management, HCAHPS scores, executive communication, and swing bed utilization.
Additional links: One-Page Summary
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Hospital-Community Partnerships to Build a Culture of Health: A Compendium of Case Studies
Presents insights from nine communities across the U.S. that have successful hospital-community partnerships. Each case study provides a description of the community, background information on the partner organizations, and an overview of the impacts and lessons learned. Several case studies include rural communities, rural populations, and/or rural partner organizations.
Date: 08/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Health Research & Educational Trust
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Magnolia Regional Medical Center Excels as a Hospital in Transition
Documents Magnolia Regional Medical Center's (MRMC) top accomplishments after participating in the Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) project and completing a financial operational assessment (FOA). Major areas of improvement include net income, net patient revenue, days cash on hand, swing bed utilization, and overall quality ratings.
Date: 07/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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Medical Center Barbour Reduces Readmission Rates
Highlights the accomplishments of Medical Center Barbour (MCB), a prospective payment system (PPS) hospital located in Eufaula, Alabama, as it progressed through a Small Rural Hospital Transition (SRHT) quality of care and transition of care project. MCB's top accomplishments include reducing readmissions, improving communication among staff and patients, and enhancing the discharge process.
Additional links: One-Page Summary
Date: 06/2017
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Rural Health Resource Center
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